Nine eateries ordered to close following rat, roach infestations

17 May 2023 10:23am

The inspection was carried out by the Inspectorate Unit and the Food Safety and Quality Unit of the Kota Kinabalu Area Health Office in the kitchen of one of the restaurants in an integrated operation around PCC Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU - Rat droppings and cockroach infestations in the kitchen area are among the reasons nine restaurants in the Polytechnic Commercial Centre (PCC) area here were ordered to close.

The closure was in accordance with the Food Act 1983 Integrated Operation.

The operation led by Kota Kinabalu Health Department's Food Safety and Quality Unit also issued 11 notices to the owners/representatives of the premises as well as food operators for various offences.

Kota Kinabalu Health Officer Dr Prabakaran Dhanarah said the operation was carried out to ensure that the food premises complied with the requirements of the Food Act 1983 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

"A total of 15 food premises were inspected, and nine of them were ordered to close under Section 11, Food Act 1983.

"In addition, a total of 11 notices under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983 were issued for failure to register their business with the Health Ministry, food handlers without food handling training, no anti-typhoid injection, and no proper food handler attire, as well as failure to comply with the requirements to keep the premises clean and free from rubbish and pests such as rats and cockroaches," he said after inspecting the premises during the operation.

The coordinated operation was also attended by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), and the police.

In this regard, Dr Prabakaran further added that the DBKK and KPDN were among the agencies that also issued compound notices against the inspected premises.

"The two agencies each issued 13 citations and one compound for various violations," he said.

He also said that food premises owners are advised to always be aware of the cleanliness aspects of food premises as stipulated in the provisions of the law.

"We will continue to carry out inspection activities on food premises throughout Kota Kinabalu City to protect the public from health hazards and fraud in the preparation, sale, and consumption of food and related matters," he stressed.